Handgun break in
- Thread starter Maromero
- Start date
Just my opinion....
I get the impression that most recommended 500-1000 round break-in periods are just ways to avoid having to make sure that the thing works well from the start. Also, lots of folks buy a gun, shoot it a few times and then put it up, so a problem just goes away quietly. It's almost like folks (buyers & sellers) expect & accept that it's supposed to malfunction when it's brand new.
Imagine if it was a new car:
"I know it runs like crap. Drive it for about 3000-4000 miles more and if it's still no good, bring it in and we'll look at it then. Oh yeah, if you do end up bringing it in, we'll probably keep it from you for weeks and weeks, even maybe a month or two. Maybe even three...."
I get the impression that most recommended 500-1000 round break-in periods are just ways to avoid having to make sure that the thing works well from the start. Also, lots of folks buy a gun, shoot it a few times and then put it up, so a problem just goes away quietly. It's almost like folks (buyers & sellers) expect & accept that it's supposed to malfunction when it's brand new.
Imagine if it was a new car:
"I know it runs like crap. Drive it for about 3000-4000 miles more and if it's still no good, bring it in and we'll look at it then. Oh yeah, if you do end up bringing it in, we'll probably keep it from you for weeks and weeks, even maybe a month or two. Maybe even three...."
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Kreyzhorse
New member
I don't buy break in procedure at all. I'm no expert, but a gun should work out of the box.
chris in va
New member
Friend's new stainless 229 jammed badly on WWB and Blazer. It took about 300 rounds before the spring finally broke in. Sig even states that in their emails.
IMHO, 100-200 rounds Ya, beyond that...
...I dont think should be needed. With some of the newer guns the springs can be very stiff! when new. I have a KAHR PM9 - many hundreds of rounds fired - no problems so far, but a few jams etc.. when new would not have bothered or concerned me. A quality full size gun should perform flawless after only a few mags. With quality firearms, I believe most problems arise from improper care and grip. -IMHO
...I dont think should be needed. With some of the newer guns the springs can be very stiff! when new. I have a KAHR PM9 - many hundreds of rounds fired - no problems so far, but a few jams etc.. when new would not have bothered or concerned me. A quality full size gun should perform flawless after only a few mags. With quality firearms, I believe most problems arise from improper care and grip. -IMHO
"break in" really isnt the same for all guns. And yes, i would say that there is a break in time for guns. From springs in the mags to springs in the trigger. After a few 100 or so rounds the springs that control these certain parts of the gun get looser then they are from the factory. Which is better. It makes the trigger pull lighter and the adding ammo to the mags easier. Its just like adding new springs on your car. Right away they are stiff, but after a few 100 miles or so, they break in.
This is what i take as a "breaking in" time.
This is what i take as a "breaking in" time.
My "break in procedure".
1) Bring the gun home.
2) learn how to detail strip it (or as detail as you can get without special equipment).
3) Detail strip, clean all packing lube, inspect all parts, re-lube, re-assemble.
4) Take it out and shoot it some
5) Disassemble and inspect wear points and so forth
6) optional: do some "fluff n' buff where/if needed"
I'm mostly with the folks who look upon the 500 rounds bit with suspicion. Admittedly I'll give any gun a bit of a break for the first 100 rounds or so because sometimes it seems that parts really do need to "settle" but wether I buy an inexpensive firearm or a top-of-the-line one the ONE thing I expect is that it will work.
For me the measure of "quality level" isn't "does it work or not", quality measures "how long will it last?"
If it works, we're good and I'll let people know.
If it doesn't work the factory fixes it or it's gone and either way I still let folks know.
1) Bring the gun home.
2) learn how to detail strip it (or as detail as you can get without special equipment).
3) Detail strip, clean all packing lube, inspect all parts, re-lube, re-assemble.
4) Take it out and shoot it some
5) Disassemble and inspect wear points and so forth
6) optional: do some "fluff n' buff where/if needed"
I'm mostly with the folks who look upon the 500 rounds bit with suspicion. Admittedly I'll give any gun a bit of a break for the first 100 rounds or so because sometimes it seems that parts really do need to "settle" but wether I buy an inexpensive firearm or a top-of-the-line one the ONE thing I expect is that it will work.
For me the measure of "quality level" isn't "does it work or not", quality measures "how long will it last?"
If it works, we're good and I'll let people know.
If it doesn't work the factory fixes it or it's gone and either way I still let folks know.
Average Joe
New member
I shoot mine to break it in.
ElectricHellfire
New member
IMO break in periods are excuses for crappy firearms. Guns cost enough now days, I don't feel its my responsibility to suffer through a break in period full of malfunctions. This is MY opinion only.
bluetopper
New member
Shoot the livin daylights out of it is my break-in procedure.
Then do it again.
Then do it again.
kayakersteve
New member
ZeSpectre got it
One the most important initials things is to strip and clean - A lot of guns have cosmoline or other long term storage grease on them from the factory. Most people feel cleaning well, then lube and begin the sooting. The actual break in period is, of course, debatable. My 1911 seemed to loosen up and shoot better around 500 rounds.
One the most important initials things is to strip and clean - A lot of guns have cosmoline or other long term storage grease on them from the factory. Most people feel cleaning well, then lube and begin the sooting. The actual break in period is, of course, debatable. My 1911 seemed to loosen up and shoot better around 500 rounds.
Revolvers don't need it.
Well finished,high quality semi auto's don't need it.
Very tightly built,super high quality semi autos and other,less finished,semi autos need it.
In those cases,you should clean the gun,lube it right and shoot at least 200 to 300 rounds through it if you are going to depend on it to save your life.
You should shoot FMJ rounds when you do that break in period.
After the break in period,break it down,reclean it and lube it and retest it.
Obviously,you should test the JHP's you intend to use for self defense after the break in period.
That break in poeriod is recommened by a variety of manufacturers just to ease up the gun and mate the parts correctly.
It's not a flaw in the manufacturing.
Well finished,high quality semi auto's don't need it.
Very tightly built,super high quality semi autos and other,less finished,semi autos need it.
In those cases,you should clean the gun,lube it right and shoot at least 200 to 300 rounds through it if you are going to depend on it to save your life.
You should shoot FMJ rounds when you do that break in period.
After the break in period,break it down,reclean it and lube it and retest it.
Obviously,you should test the JHP's you intend to use for self defense after the break in period.
That break in poeriod is recommened by a variety of manufacturers just to ease up the gun and mate the parts correctly.
It's not a flaw in the manufacturing.